Puente, Tito Jr.

Son of the internationally reknown timbales artist, Tito Puente, Tito Puente, Jr was born in New York City on 2 June 1953.

His first love was percussion. Puente learned to play the timbales, but interestingly, not from his father. He attended school in Long Island where he learned the instrument and further developed his skills as a musician while studying piano and composition at home.

Known in his own right as “The Prince of Latin Dance”, Puente has begun leaving a mark as an artist of distinction. With two record albums and three videos to his credit, plus a many concert tours.

Puente’s 1996 debut album, Guarachando, which he co-produced for the EMI-Latin label, featured the hit single “Oye Como Va”, a well known cover of his father’s signature standard. The song reached number 7 on Billboard’s Dance chart and earned him a Latin Music Award for “Best Video of the Year.”

Puente has performed in many parts of the world, but mostly in North and South America. He has been featured in magazines, newspapers and television programs such as Urban Latino, Latin Style, American Way, Reggae Report, People En EspaÃ±ol, Radio & Musica, Billboard, The Miami Herald, and several others. He also appeared in an HBO television special.

In his current band, Puente is the lead signer and percussionist. Although he still plays the piano but uses it mainly for writing songs. Moreover, living in a city culturally diverse Miami, his current residence, has had a most positive effect on Puente’s creativity and innovative approach to music.

“I’m thrilled with the many faces and sounds of Miami. The opportunity to listen to music from Mexico, South America, the Caribbean and other parts of the world has allowed me to expand my own musical horizons, so my music can reach more people."

Thrilled with the support he has gotten from his father who has also been known to sit in with his son’s band on occasion - Puente plans to follow in his father’s footsteps, creating for his generation what his father did for his own over the past fifty years.

I think it’s very important that the youth of today understand the music of my father, la mÃºsica de ayer, la mÃºsica del Palladium. It’s timeless music, and it always makes you dance.